Photo: INA FASSBENDER / AFP / Getty Images
American shot putter Raven Saunders made the first gesture of political protest ever seen at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
To the receive the silver medal and as the other winners posed for photos on the podium, Saunders raised her arms in an X shape.
He said that represented “the intersection where all oppressed people meet” .
The young African-American of 25 years, a member of the LGBTI community, has made public that he is fighting depression.
The shot put, he said , has consumed your identity in the past, making you feel unable to escape the pressures that come with competition.
He also said that his goal at to protest was to give birth to “people of everyone who is fighting and does not have the platform to speak for themselves. ”
“ For me to have won this medal, and that inspire the LGBTI community, people with mental illness and black minorities, it is something that means everything ”He said.
In the test held on Sunday, the Chinese Gong Lijiao won the gold and the New Zealand Valerie Adams the bronze .
They analyze a possible sanction
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has relaxed its policy of prohibiting protests for athletes participating in Tokyo 2018.
While they are allowed to “express their views” during the conferences. Press days, political demonstrations are still prohibited at award ceremonies .
The IOC reported that it is “analyzing” what Saunders did, said a spokesman. It is not yet determined if there will be a sanction for the American.
The mental health of athletes has been at the center of global attention in the This year’s Olympics, after gymnastics champion Simone Biles withdrew from various disciplines to prioritize your well being.
Saunders, who made his Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, said that in 2018 thought about suicide while going through emotional conflicts.
He assures that after approaching a former therapist in search of support he was able to form a more balanced relationship with the sport and achieve success.
“It’s okay to be strong,” he said. “And it’s okay not to be strong on 100% of the time. It’s good to be able to need people. ”
Saunders had already drawn attention during competitions for the two-color dye of his hair, as well as for his collection of inspired masks in the movie characters Hulk and Joker.
He says he sees the Hulk as his alter ego and a reflection of how he learned to use the force of a controlled way.
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